Vikes fans

[nolehusker]

Good win this weekend Vikes!!!! Glad to see Ponder coming into the game and showing what he can really do.

 

[JohnRandle]

For sure nole,
Loving all the rookies too. Kalil, Harrison Smith, Josh Robinson and Blair Walsh are all making this team better right away.

 

[JohnRandle]

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press
Vikings at Lions: 9/30/12.
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Vikings top Lions with help from special teams

Find out what the FOX Sports North Girls are up to.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — As the Minnesota Vikings season nosedived last year, a lot of the blame was placed on a historically bad secondary, which allowed a 107.6 quarterback rating, the second highest mark in NFL history.

Injuries and an overall lack of competency were common themes as Minnesota led the league with 34 passing touchdowns allowed, while tying a league-low with eight interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks completed 68.2 percent of their passes, the second-highest total in the league.

The Vikings turnaround this season, recovering from last year's 3-13 record to go 3-1 and lead the NFC North prior to Monday night's game, starts with a renewed vigor on defense, especially from the secondary.

"When you've got the tools to work with in the secondary, your game plan can be executed, your goals can be accomplished," coach Leslie Frazier said. "We're better in the secondary than we have been in the past. We made some plays yesterday on a couple of balls that I don't know a year ago if we would have made those plays. I think a combination of having better talent along with guys understanding what's being asked of them."

Last season, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford enjoyed his two games against Minnesota's secondary, throwing for 605 yards, a 69.3 completion rate and four touchdowns without an interception in a pair of wins. Stafford, directing the league's top passing offense this year, was 30 for 51, passing for 319 yards in Sunday's win by the Vikings. He was sacked five times and didn't throw a touchdown.

Minnesota also held All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson to five catches for 54 yards.

The secondary received an infusion this offseason, with Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook returning to the lineup after each missed most of last year. Safety Harrison Smith was drafted in the first round and cornerback Josh Robison was a third-round pick. And, aside from safety Mistral Raymond's ankle injury that will keep him out a few more weeks, the Vikings have been healthy.

There has been more than health and new players that have contributed to the resurgence, especially following the Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, when the defense struggled in two-minute situations over the first two weeks.

"Just the mentality," linebacker Chad Greenway said of the change the past two weeks. "I think we just sort of set our jaw and just said, 'We're going to be this type of defense and this is what we want to be.' If we're willing to do that we've got to put it on tape. We can't just say it and think it's going to happen, will it to happen, we have to go out there and actually do it. We were able to do those things these last couple of weeks."

The players have also bought in to new defensive coordinator Alan Williams' style and game plans.

There were reported backlashes with the defensive schemes being run last year by first-year coordinator Fred Pagac and Frazier stepped in and directed the defense for part of the season. This year, the Vikings own a top-10 defense and have allowed the eighth fewest points in the league heading into Monday night.

The secondary, which was Williams specialty coming in after spending the past 10 years as the defensive backs coach in Indianapolis, has given up an average of 228.3 yards-per-game passing as opposed to 251.2 last year. Opponent's quarterback ratings are down to 88.8, which is 16th in the league, and a 62.2 percent completion rate is 15th in the NFL.

Meanwhile, the run defense ranks seventh, allowing 85.3 yards-per-game.

"I think some of it was the mentality," Frazier said. "But also, I think Alan getting in a groove with our players, getting a better understanding or feel for how to utilize some of our players. But, for sure, our players also taking some ownership in some of the things we were trying to do, and really wanting to set the tone as a defense, about how we play."

The two-minute situation in the first two games was alarming, with Minnesota allowing touchdowns on all three of the drives by Jacksonville and Indianapolis in such situations. The 18 points scored, and the yards gained, on those three drives have been the biggest hits to an otherwise stout defense.

Losing the way they did, in the final minutes, to the Colts changed the Vikings, who were determined to not fall into the same pattern they did last season. The difference can be seen on defense the past two weeks. Before last week's effort against the explosive Lions, Minnesota held San Francisco to 280 total yards, 191 in passing and 89 on the ground.

"I think the biggest thing we've done is being more disciplined: executing better, not missing tackles, things like that, just going back to the basics," defensive end Brian Robison said. "There were a lot of things said during that week that needed to be said. Coaches have definitely ramped it up a little bit. Players have ramped it up a little bit. We've been practicing better. There's a whole different morale on this team as far as trying to get the little things done correctly."


Follow Brian Hall on Twitter.

 

[powerchord86]

Better move over for the Bears. Looks like they're not going anywhere.

That game was a win win for me. Bears lose- Vikes on top. Cowboys lose- Cowboys lose.

 

[beardown07]

Better move over for the Bears. Looks like they're not going anywhere.

That game was a win win for me. Bears lose- Vikes on top. Cowboys lose- Cowboys lose.

 

[powerchord86]

Nice win for your boys last night BD!

 

[JohnRandle]

Cutler has got to have the strongest arm in the NFL. He made a few throws where it looked like a flick of the wrist, but were like rockets..

 

[nolehusker]

Cutler is pretty freakin amazing. He just gets so much crap in the media because he doesn't really show emotion. Basically, he's that one girl from twilight, but for football.

 

[beardown07]

Nice win for your boys last night BD!

Big road win. Vikes are the surprise team of the year so far...playing good ball.

Cutler has got to have the strongest arm in the NFL. He made a few throws where it looked like a flick of the wrist, but were like rockets..

Man, if he can get a little protection and help from receivers, he is a pretty darn good QB.

 

[powerchord86]

Cutler is pretty freakin amazing. He just gets so much crap in the media because he doesn't really show emotion. Basically, he's that one girl from twilight, but for football.

Dude, you watched Twilight?

 

[JohnRandle]

Big road win. Vikes are the surprise team of the year so far...playing good ball.

For sure, they're playing old Black and Blue division football. Pound the ball and good defense.
I hope they continue on the rest of season.

Man, if he can get a little protection and help from receivers, he is a pretty darn good QB.

Yep, I think I was the only Vike fan who wanted him here when he became a free agent. But I knew the Vikes weren't going to, and couldn't afford to, give a lot for him.

 

[JohnRandle]

The Minnesota Vikings are currently ranked 13th overall in the NFL Power Rankings according to the CBS Power Rankings going into week five. The current leaders in the power rankings go as follows: Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and the Baltimore Ravens. Worth noting, the Green Bay Packers are ranked 14th.



What has been the reason for the Vikings success so far this season? Their ability to play every facet of the game. So far this year, the Vikings aren't doing anything extraordinary, but they are doing everything well. They are currently ranked 21st overall in offense and eighth overall in defense. That, along with a couple of return scores and a kicker in Blair Walsh that has only missed one field goal, you have a pretty solid team.

The Vikings have played solid enough and that has gotten them to the 3-1 record that they own. They also own the top spot in the NFC North because of their 1-0 divisional record and the Chicago Bears 0-1 divisional record.

Another big reason for their solid play has been Christian Ponder's mistake free football he has played. Through 123 pass attempts, Ponder has still yet to throw an interception. While he has not been throwing for copious amounts of yards, he is making smart decisions. You have to respect what Ponder has done so far in his second season.

If the Vikings can continue to play at this level, they will continue to succeed. Will they win the division? The season is still too young to tell, but this has been a great first quarter of the season.

 

[anythingispossible]

It's Thursday, October 4 SportsLimit.com 7:30 Central time.
Be there or be a Lions fan.

 

[nolehusker]

Dude, you watched Twilight?

Hell no!!! I refuse to watch it. It became an internet meme that she had no emotions.

 

[beardown07]

[YOUTUBE]ax9PiyWeX3g&vq[/YOUTUBE]

 

[beardown07]

[YOUTUBE]Yg-OOW9Y55I&vq[/YOUTUBE]

 

[powerchord86]

Hell no!!! I refuse to watch it. It became an internet meme that she had no emotions.

LOL Just givin ya crap.

 

[powerchord86]

Nice vids BD. I can't get enough Beavis and Butthead. Mike Judge is a genius.

 

[powerchord86]

Nice win this weekend. And stuff..

 

[beardown07]

Vikes are legit.


Packers suck.